Retired Teachers’ Association Vol 27 No 1 • December 2015 ...files.nlta.nl.ca/wp-content/uploads/public/... · 52 Hollyberry Drive, Paradise A1L 0C1 Tel: 782-8914 [email protected]

Retired Teachers’ Association Vol 27 No 1 • December 2015

President’s MessageThomas KendellIt was a very cool July in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2015 and many of us who planted warm weather crops had limited success in our gardens. However, our autumns are very beautiful with the changing of the seasons and our cool weather vegetables like kale, spinach and parsnips continued to flourish.

This fall was very busy with regular meetings of our divisions and a federal election that occurred in October. Many of us who are retired participated in the election as workers or volunteers with the various parties. There are high expectations of this new Federal Liberal Government and only time will tell what impact it will have on us as retired teachers and as seniors. As I write this article early in November we look forward to the provincial election scheduled for November 30 here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The annual meeting of ACER-CART (Canadian Association of Retired Teachers) was held in Ottawa this year from June 5-6, 2015. The AGM sessions took place at the office of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. Each province usually sends one voting delegate and an observer. This year I attended as your president and our provincial secretary, Don White, also attended as an observer. This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for retired teacher organizations to come together and address issues common to all retired teachers across the country.

The Retired Teachers’ Foundation held their meeting in Corner Brook in September. This year the Foundation donated $28,000 to ten different children’s charities throughout the province. This is the highest amount ever donated to children’s charities. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all the divisions for their contributions and the RTF for all the work that they do. RTANL is proud to be the sponsoring body of the Foundation.

As your President I was invited to participate in the NLTA Panel on the Status of Public Education in Newfoundland and Labrador that travelled around the province in October. The panel members were: James Dinn, NLTA President; Kirk Anderson, Dean of Education at Memorial University; and Denise Pike, Executive Director of the NL Federation of School Councils. As Life Members we continue to be very proud and supportive of our Association and all the work that it does for not only retired teachers, but all teachers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Needless to say things have changed greatly since we were in the classroom! 21st Century Learning is far different from learning in the 20th Century! We live in a digital world today where information is available at the touch of a button and teachers must direct their teaching to the learning styles and the changing environment of the student.

In October I was also invited to address the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners’ Association (NLPSPA) at their 25th Annual General Meeting in St. John’s. The theme, Being Prepared for a Healthy Future, centered on a number of life topics of timely interest for pensioners, retirees and seniors. Some members of the Provincial Executive were in attendance as well as other retired teachers.

RTANL continues to be an active member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees, and Seniors chaired by Sharron Callahan. The main purpose of this Coalition is to influence governments and various political parties to address issues relating to retirees, seniors and pensioners. Priorities of the Coalition for 2015 included Health Care, Long Term Care, Financial Security, Affordable Housing and Elder Homelessness and many other issues relating to the welfare of retirees and seniors. Regular meetings of the

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NOTE: To ensure that RTANL members receive important information between newsletters (i.e. Group Insurance, Pensions, etc.), we kindly request that you contact the RTANL to provide an email address at [email protected]. Thank you!

RTANL Newsletter 2 December 2015

EDITING POLICYItems accepted for publication re-flect the views of the authors and do not necessarily express RTANL policy or imply endorsement by RTANL. We reserve the right to edit material for publication.

President’s Message .........................Cover

News & Views Bonavista ............................................. 4 Burin .................................................... 5 Central ................................................ 5 Con-Tri ................................................ 7 Western .............................................. 7

RTF 2015 Annual Report ......................... 9

ACER-CART Letter/Report .................12

Coalition Report .....................................16

What Should I Do When My Teacher Spouse Dies? ............................................17

My First BGM and Reunion ..................18

Beaumont-Hamel 2015 ..........................19

Presentation to the NLTA Panel on the Status of Public Education in NL .........20

In Memoriam ............................................26

2016 BGM & Reunion Registration Form ...................................27

Provincial Executive2014-16

Provincial ExecutiveStanding Committees 2014-16

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRESIDENTThomas Kendell75 Southcott Drive, Grand Falls-Windsor A2A 2P2Tel: 489-2929 [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENTDoreen Noseworthy37 Salmonier Line, Holyrood A0A 2R0Tel: 229-6274 [email protected]

PAST PRESIDENTGeraldine Wall252 O’Connell Drive, Corner Brook A2H 5N5Tel: 634-4965 [email protected]

SECRETARYDon White76 Glendale Avenue, Mt. Pearl A1N 1N6Tel: [email protected]

TREASURERClayton Rice52 Hollyberry Drive, Paradise A1L 0C1Tel: [email protected]

MEMBERS-AT-LARGEDon CasePO Box 28, Salmon Cove A0A 3S0Tel: 596-5428 [email protected]

Lil CritchPO Box 124, Steady Brook A2H 2N2Tel: [email protected]

Beverly FisherPO Box 503, Bonavista A0C 1B0Tel: [email protected]

Deborah Lewis-ClarkePO Box 1589, Marystown A0E [email protected]

ACER/CART website: www.acer-cart.org

ADVANCE NOTICE

14th Reunion of

Retired Teachers

and RTANL

BGM 2016Gander, NL

October 4-6, 2016

NLTA Website

To receive information that may become available between Newsletters, please go to the NLTA website: www.nlta.nl.ca and click on RTANL on the LINKS page. Please share any information with fellow RTANL members who do not have access to the Web. (Once again, we thank the NLTA for letting us avail of this website.)

Table Officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer

Benefits . . . . . . . . . Lil Critch (Chairperson) Don White, Clayton Rice

Finance. . . . . . . Clayton Rice (Chairperson) Thomas Kendell, Doreen Noseworthy

Liaison . . . . Thomas Kendell (Chairperson) Doreen Noseworthy, Clayton Rice, Don White

Newsletter . . . . . . Don White (Chairperson) Clayton Rice, Doreen Noseworthy

Biennial Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doreen Noseworthy (Chairperson)

Clayton Rice, Don White

Reunion & BGM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Kendell, Beverly Fisher

(Co-Chairpersons) Clayton Rice, Don White

Political Action (Coalition) . . . . . . . . . . Don Case (Chairperson), Doreen Noseworthy,

Provincial Executive as Steering Committee Co-chaired by President plus

Division Representatives

NLTA Group Insurance Trustee . . . . . . . Doreen Noseworthy

Tales Told by Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Geraldine Wall (Chairperson),

Don White, Debbie Lewis-Clarke

Executive Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton Rice (Chairperson)

Don White, Don Case

ACER-CART . . . Thomas Kendell (Director) Don White (Observer)

ADVERTISING POLICYWe accept ads to be printed in our Newsletter. However, we reserve the right to refuse all ads, or to edit them after consultation with the advertiser. The RTANL does not endorse or promote any product, service, or event presented in paid advertisements or in free public service announcements, unless so specified. Cost of ads will be determined by size and purpose. Please contact: Clayton Rice, 709-782-8914; email: [email protected].


Coalition are ongoing and as a provincial association we have two members of our Provincial Executive on this Coalition: Don Case and Doreen Noseworthy.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the shocking news that we received last spring from our provincial government. On April 1, 2015, 128 retired teachers and 253 survivors of retired teachers were shocked to hear that the government of this province was going to recoup $1 million dollars from them due to an accounting error in their pensions over the past twenty years. It left people wondering whether or not this was an April Fools’ joke! As your Association, we urged Government to reflect on the financial hardships that this repayment and reduction would have on pensioners who could ill afford this financial burden. To add insult to injury, Government hired someone to try to recoup those dollars. It was incredulous to say the least. Provincial governments of all stripes need to do a better job of managing and protecting the pension plans of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The Provincial Executive held its executive meeting in Grand Falls-Windsor from November 4 -5, 2015. One of the main items on our agenda was our upcoming BGM and Reunion that is scheduled for Gander in October of 2016. At that same time we met with the Division Presidents across the province in order to maintain and foster the relationship and connection among the divisions and the provincial body.

RTANL has been a member of ACER-CART (Canadian Association of Retired Teachers) since its beginning in 1991 in Ottawa. It represents 13 retired teacher associations in every province and in the Yukon Territory with a total membership of over 117,000 retirees. It works in cooperation with other seniors groups and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) to promote the interests of retired teachers. During the federal election ACER-CART was very much in the forefront in addressing seniors’ issues and shared their publications with member associations across the country.

RTANL has a link on the NLTA website (www.nlta.ca) Click on Links and scroll down to Retired Teachers’ Association of NL. There you will see contact information for the Provincial Executive, the Foundation and Presidents of the various Divisions and Regionals. Our Association Newsletters, Handbook for New Members, Membership Form, Constitution and By-Laws are all there.

As our calendar year draws to a close, we look forward to the Christmas season when we spend time with family and friends. On behalf of your Provincial Executive and Divisions I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Division PresidentsAvalon East Division:Betty Lou Kennedy7 Casino Place, St. John’s, NL A1A 3X3 (709) 754-0784, [email protected]

Bonavista Division:Beverly FisherP.O. Box 503, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0 (709) 468-2827, [email protected]

Burin Division:Nadine CroucherP.O. Box 46, Burin Bay Arm, NL A0E 1G0 (709) 891-2444, [email protected]

Central Division:Thomas Kendell75 Southcott Dr., Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P2 (709) 489-2929, [email protected]

Coast of Bays Division:Margaret PowerP.O. Box 502, 2 Victoria St., St. Alban’s, NL A0H 2E0 (709) 538-7826, [email protected]

Con-Tri Division:Albert Legge59 Main Road, Whiteway, NL A0B 3L0(709) 588-2368, [email protected]

Western Division:Wayne Park22 Wilson Drive, Corner Brook, NL A2H 6W4 (709) 632-7211, [email protected]


NEWS & VIEWS Bonavista DivisionBeverly Fisher

The Bonavista Division of the RTANL has 99 members. We live in communities on the Bonavista Peninsula from the Cape around Bonavista Bay to Charleston, and around Trinity Bay back to Cape Bonavista. Since our last report, which appeared in the June Newsletter, our Division has been very busy.

The Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees and Seniors held a forum at the Fishermen’s Hall in Bonavista on April 9. A large number of our members, along with other public sector pensioners, showed up to listen to a presentation by Ralph Morris, past president of the NLPSPA. His very energetic talk gave us much information about the state of the pension plans and other related topics. This was the last stop on the Coalition’s island-wide tour.

On April 14 the executive met at Peggy’s home in Bonavista. At this meeting we put the final touches on plans for the visit of the Provincial Executive and the Spring Fling.

The following week we welcomed our Provincial Executive members to Bonavista for their spring meeting. To allow our members the opportunity to meet them, and vice versa, we had moved ahead our annual June social to coincide with their visit. We also treated them to a guided bus tour of our town. We certainly enjoyed entertaining our ‘company’!

Our spring bowling trip took place on May 20. About twenty of us travelled to Clarenville where we shopped, had lunch together, and bowled at Caribou Lanes.

The last executive meeting before the summer break was held at Bev’s house in Bonavista on May 25. The focus of this meeting was to establish a timeline of

activities for 2015-16. Our schedule included a good mix of meetings, activities and socials – dates and other particulars would be firmed up in the fall.

On May 28 approximately 20 of our members participated in the Mental Health and Addictions Awareness Walk. Two hundred people attended the walk, wearing t-shirts provided by the sponsoring group, the Tip-A-Vista Wellness Foundation. Sunshine and warm temperatures provided us with perfect walking conditions, and the reception following this provided us with refreshments and mingling time.

A trip to Tickle Cove was on the agenda for June 5. John Norman, a member of the Discovery Geopark Committee, led us on an informational walk along the shore and discussed the geological importance of the rock formations in the area. We ate a picnic lunch on the hills overlooking the town. As a side trip, we visited the field where The Grand Seduction’s cricket match was filmed. Several of our members had roles in the movie.

The third annual ‘Not-Back-To-School’ Walk was held on the first fine day after Labour Day. This year our members hiked the Cape Bonavista trail.

Our first executive meeting was held on October 23 at Bev’s home. Here we finalized things for the upcoming general meeting and selected dates for our fall bowling excursion and our Christmas social.

On October 29 we held our first general meeting of the year at the Seaport Inn in Port Union. With a provincial election on the horizon, we thought it a good idea to invite our candidates to talk with us. Liberal hopeful Neil King attended the meeting and gave us an excellent run-down on his qualifications and vision for our area. A question/discussion period followed his very impressive presentation. MHA Glen Little did not attend. There are no other candidates running in our district.

Geology Hike at Tickle Cove, led by John Norman (foreground).

Not-back-to-school hike on the Cape Bonavista Trail.


We are certainly looking forward to another busy year! When this newsletter arrives Christmas preparations will be in full swing. On behalf of the members of Bonavista Division, I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Burin DivisionJoan Shirley

Sincere greetings to all divisions of the RTANL from the Burin Division. Our current executive is: Nadine Croucher (president); Eleanor Locke (vice president); Debbie Lewis-Clarke (treasurer); Joan Shirley (secretary); and Ada Hollett (past president).

In June, members participated in a half-hour spring walk around the Salt Pond Trail in Burin followed by lunch at Extreme Pita.

Now that we are in the midst of the autumn season, Mother Nature paints a spectacular picture wherever we live in this beautiful province – the Burin Peninsula being no exception. This is a time of year when we like to reflect on past events and accomplishments of another year gone by. Therefore, as is a tradition with the Burin Division, on September 16 we celebrated the advent of autumn with a cozy gathering of our membership and guests at the Heritage House nestled among the trees on the Eco Trail of Winterland. Members of the Heritage Committee welcomed us in full costume and prepared and served a delicious Jiggs Dinner accompanied by mouth-watering homemade desserts. The proceeds from this event go to the Heritage Committee to support their work in the maintenance and enhancement of the Heritage House and the Eco Trail. This fellowship event was enjoyed by all who attended.

After the meal, we conducted a general meeting during which two of our long-time members, Ada Hollett (past president) and Ben Brushett (past treasurer) were

honoured for their dedicated years of service to the RTANL. The meeting closed with a prayer.

At an executive meeting held on October 28, it was decided we would hold two Christmas events for our members and their guests at the Marystown Hotel and Convention Centre: 1) Christmas Luncheon to be held on December 4; and 2) Christmas Dinner and Dance to be held on December 11. We are hoping that Santa will accept our invitation to drop by for a visit during our luncheon. The dinner and dance is held in conjunction with teachers in the local area. Also, it was decided that an election of officers for the Burin Division would be held in April 2016.

Until the next report, the members of the Burin Division heartily wish you and your families good health and happiness into the new year.

Central DivisionThomas Kendell

The first general meeting of Central Division for 2015 began in April. In addition to our regular business our guest speaker was Mr. Derek Bennett, Recreation Director with the Town of Lewisporte. Derek spoke to us about the various attractions in the town and the upcoming events for 2015. We were very impressed with his presentation as there is so much going on during the summer time in our smaller communities.

In May we discussed preparations for our June Banquet scheduled for June 10, 2015 at Hotel Gander. Our guest speaker for the afternoon session was Dr. Allison Maloney, RAC, TCMD and Marc-Alexandre Mestres, RAC, TCMP of The ReVibe Centre in Gander who gave a presentation on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Allison and Marc explained the services which they offer and treatments given at their clinic. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.

In June we had our 35th Annual Dinner and Dance at Hotel Gander which was very well attended. The entertainment by a local comedian was excellent and the dance music by Derm Coady continues to highlight our annual get together. Everyone seemed to be very pleased with the festivities. The C. Lloyd Buffett Award was presented to Mr. Jim Dobson, Immediate Past Chairperson of RTF, who accepted on behalf of the Foundation. We continue to give a $1000 donation to the Foundation in memory of C. Lloyd Buffett, one of the founding members of our Division, who, along with the late Cyril Bull, helped to establish the Retired

VP Theresa White presents Liberal Candidate, Neil King with Tales Told by Teachers II.


Teachers’ Foundation. As well, we donated $2000 to the RTF in memory of all deceased teachers from Central Division. Our total gift to The Foundation this past year (2015) will total over $4,500.

In lieu of purchasing plaques or gifts to recognize members of our Division for their volunteer efforts we make a donation of $100 to the Foundation. This past year we honored a most worthy individual at our banquet – Mr. Calvin Wheeler of Botwood. Calvin has a long history of being very supportive of Central Division and is the chair of our Cornucopia newsletter and our Book of Remembrance. On behalf of all retired teachers in Central Newfoundland I would like to offer my congratulations to Calvin for receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. As an appreciation we sent $100 to the Retired Teachers’ Foundation in his honor.

We published our Division Newsletter, the Cornucopia, in October 2015. Our Year in Pictures is in the centerfold and included the highlights of our year in pictures. Please take the opportunity to read our newsletter in hard copy or online. This issue was not mailed to members so if you would like a hard copy please contact any member of the executive. I would like to express our Division’s thanks and appreciation to Calvin Wheeler for all the work that he does in compiling the Cornucopia. It does demand a lot of time, effort and dedication on Calvin’s behalf to compile this comprehensive publication. The Cornucopia is available online through the RTANL link on the NLTA website at www.nlta.nl.ca.

Three volumes of the Book of Remembrance have been done in “loose leaf” and Calvin has already completed 25 obituaries for Volume IV. In those volumes you will find obituaries of teachers who taught in Central Newfoundland communities from the Baie Verte Peninsula in the west to Chance Cove in the east. Men and women who devoted their lives and careers to

teaching in our province and many taught in communities that are no longer in existence. We want to honour those pioneers in the teaching profession who went before us and remember them in a Book of Remembrance. If you have any information on teachers who have passed away in Central Newfoundland, please pass along notification of their deaths to Calvin at [email protected].

After our June Banquet we took time to relax and enjoy with family and friends.

Some newly retired teachers attended our first regular meeting in September in Gander. In the morning we had our annual general meeting and election of officers for 2015-17. The following members were elected to serve on the new executive for a two-year term: President – Thomas Kendell; Vice-President and Immediate Past-President – Phil Patey; Secretary – Art Symonds; Treasurer – Malba Butt; Communications Officer – Don Carter; Cornucopia and Book of Remembrance Chair, Calvin Wheeler; and Political Action Officer Chair, Francis Reid.

Since the Federal Election was upcoming on October 19, 2015 we invited the federal candidates for the Central Region (Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame) to come and talk to us about their platforms. Guest speakers for the afternoon session were Kevin O’Brien (Conservative), Scott Simms (Liberal) and Claudette Menchenton (NDP). They outlined their stance on Federal Election issues and then answered questions from our members. It was very interesting and informative and many questions were asked. Everyone was reminded to “get out and vote” on October 19.

At our regular meeting in October we held our Fall Sale and Auction, which is a highlight of our year, and the proceeds go to the Retired Teachers’ Foundation. The Auction was quite successful. I would like to thank Marilyn Bry and Roger Melendy for agreeing to be our auctioneers. Many thanks are extended to all our members for their contributions to the sale, the purchasing of the items and also for their generous monetary donations to RTF.

Also in October, as President of Central Division, I was invited to address retiring teachers at an NLTA Pre-retirement Seminar in Grand Falls-Windsor. Those teachers were from all over Central Newfoundland and some may not be retiring until one or two years in the future; however, it gave me an opportunity to inform them as to the functions of the RTANL and to encourage them to join us when they retire.

In November we celebrated the birthday of one of our Chartered members who participated in the


establishment of Central Division on June 13, 1980. Mr. Clarence Riggs who resides in Glovertown turned 100 years old. We extend our best wishes to Mr. Riggs for a wonderful birthday and many more to come.

After our November meeting we take a break during the winter months and resume our meetings in April. However, we will be having our “Old Christmas Night” dinner at Sinbad’s on January 6, 2016.

We continue to be active and involved as a Division and we are always trying to encourage more retirees to join us.

On behalf of the executive and members of Central Division I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Con-Tri Division Paulene Welsh

Winter dies into the spring, to be born again in the autumn. ~ March Blumenberg

A warm hello from all members of Con-Tri Division. The summer has quickly slipped by and we are back to business as usual.

We held our spring barbecue and kitchen party on May 26 as our final gathering before summer. This year we held the event at the Royal Canadian Legion #32, Bay Roberts. There was a great turnout of members and the new venue worked out well. Thanks to all who helped to organize this event and to those who participated in the kitchen party. The entertainment was certainly enjoyed by all those in attendance.

We held our annual NBTS (Not Back To School) walk at Mad Rock, Bay Roberts on September 10. The weather was nice and we had a small but enthusiastic delegation participate in this event.

On October 4, 2015 representatives from the Con-Tri Division were on hand to present a cheque to the TCP

Health Foundation. This is an annual event, and we thank our members who participated in this presentation.

On October 8 we held our first fall meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion in Bay Roberts. Special guest for this meeting was Perry Downey, Administrative Officer with the NLTA, who gave a presentation on pension related issues, insurance and how we are affected now and when we reach 65. This was a very informative presentation and contained important information for all retired teachers. We had an excellent turnout for this session and we extend our thanks to all who helped organize this session and to all who attended.

Preparations for our Christmas banquet on November 24 were finalized at our November 12 meeting.

Any Con-Tri member who would like to be added to our e-mail list, please contact Albert Legge at [email protected].

Western Division Wayne Park

Good day all and greetings from Western Division of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. It has been a busy time and I will capture some highlights since the last report.

Western Division Executive has been meeting monthly over the past year. The Executive has been diligent in meeting attendance and strong in focus. Thanks for that commitment and thanks to Sobeys, especially staff person Betty, Corner Brook, for the free room. The focus for Western Division has been the development of a governance Constitution, which is mostly ready for membership review.

One goal of Western Division Executive has been ‘outreach’, with intent to retain current members and recruit ‘new’ members. To this end the following strategies were adopted:Members of Con-Tri Division enjoy their annual NBTS Walk.

Perry Downey gives presentation at meeting in October.


• Spring Social – soup/sandwiches/live music and comradery event in May;

• Varied Meeting Location is an intent to move meetings outside the Corner Brook location;

• Attendance at Retired Teachers’ Banquets in June to promote our existence and let retirees know they are still teachers;

• Donation and presentation to the Trout River Breakfast Program;

• Participation in Retired Teachers’ Seminars;• Update and implementation of a phone tree and

contact list for communication was most important;• New Banner is a source of pride and displayed at all

occasions (rally around a flag).

The measure of success for these efforts can be demonstrated in the registration of 20 ‘new’ members in September.

A recent and major pleasure for Western Division was to host the Newfoundland and Labrador Retired Teachers’ Foundation for Children’s Charities in Corner Brook. Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to the charities in attendance on the deserving awards. Thanks and appreciation to Geraldine Wall, Foundation Chair, for the location promotion and the Bennett Hall Ladies Auxiliary for the fantastic meal.

To maintain a community presence and membership connection Western Division will continue the practice of a wreath presentation at a Remembrance Day Service. The practice of hospital visitation, card and fruit basket gifts for members will be maintained. As well, Christmas visitation for ill members in all our regional communities will be the practice. A critical component of these practices is for the regional contacts to communicate the health status to a Western Executive Member and appropriate follow-up will occur.

As previously indicated, Western Division Membership is a proud promoter of The Retired Teachers’ Foundation. To this end, Western Division features an annual Bake-less Bake Sale. It is a strong fundraiser for a great cause and your help would be greatly appreciated. Please make your cheque payable to The Retired Teachers’ Foundation and forward to: Wayne Park, 22 Wilson Drive, Corner Brook, NL A2H 6W4. For receipt purposes please include your name and address.

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Retired Teachers’ Foundation2015 Annual ReportGeraldine Wall, Chairperson

The Newfoundland and Labrador Retired Teachers’ Foundation held its two meetings in 2015 – June 1 and September 17. Since five Board members reside in the Corner Brook area, the Board decided that it was a fiscally responsible decision to hold both meeting there.

At the June meeting there was discussion regarding the future location for presentation of donations to charities, on a rotating basis. This would occur during the year in between BGM years. The first such presentation would take place in Corner Brook following the Foundation Fall Meeting. The distribution of funds and choice of recipients was decided. Submission of information on deceased members is ongoing, to be included in the next volume of the Book of Remembrance. We encourage members and divisions to help us in that area. We hope to proceed with Volume VI as soon as the material is compiled. The idea of Foundation Day in the schools was discussed. A request was received from Vice-Chair Dianne Squarey requesting a leave of absence for personal reasons. Former Board Treasurer, Anne Pennell, has assumed the position of Vice-Chair.

At the September meeting, Treasurer Roberta Pafford advised that as of July 31, 2015, $30,927.90 was available for distribution. It was a Board decision to distribute $28,000 to the ten children’s charities chosen. Discussion on future recipients and the donation amount was discussed. Foundation In Memoriam cards are available from any Board member, and we will continue to seek the support of Divisions and individual members to circulate these cards throughout the province. The Book of Remembrance was again discussed. Board member Jim Dobson gave an overview of how Central Division compiles its Book of Remembrance. The topic of “Motions to be presented by the Foundation at BGM 2016” was raised. This discussion was tabled until the spring meeting of the Board. A follow up letter was received from Dianne Squarey to extend her leave of absence.

Later that evening, following the September meeting, during the Western Division sponsored social, the Foundation presented its largest donation ever to ten charities for children with special needs. Recipients and their special children were invited to join us for dinner. Meeting and speaking with these parents and volunteers put an emotional twist on how our Foundation affects the lives of these vulnerable children. This has been our most financially successful

year. Donations totalling $28,000 were presented to the following groups:

• $2,000 was presented to the Autism Society by Past Chairperson Jim Dobson, accepted by Nicholas and Mark LaCosta.

• $3,000 was presented to Candlelighters Camp Delight by Treasurer Roberta Pafford, accepted by Michael Barry.

• $3,000 was presented to War Amps CHAMPS Program by Vice-Chairperson Anne Pennell, accepted by Katarina Roxon, ParaPan Am Games Swimming Medalist.

• $2,000 was presented to CNIB Children’s Services by Board Director Agnes Hughes, accepted by Donna Byrne.

• $3,000 was presented to Canadian Diabetes Association Camp Douwanna by Secretary Lil Critch, accepted by Stephen, Maggie and Susan Peckford.

• $2,000 was presented to Down Syndrome Society by Board Director Bernie Meiwald, accepted by Gabriel and Julie Giles on their behalf.

• $4,000 was presented to Lion Max Simms Camp by RTANL President Thomas Kendell and accepted by Past Chairperson Jim Dobson on their behalf.

• $5,000 was presented to Mazol Shriners Patient Transportation Fund by Chairperson Geraldine Wall, accepted by Ill. Sir Doug Rowe and Patient Katy Cashin.

• $2,000 was presented to Tourette Syndrome Association by Vice-Chairperson Anne Pennell, and accepted by Irene Sturge.

• $2,000 was presented to Rainbow Riders by Chairperson Geraldine Wall, to Vice-Chairperson Anne Pennell on their behalf.

The question of “What is the Foundation and who will benefit?” has often been asked by members. The purpose of the Foundation is two-fold: we are honouring the life and work of deceased colleagues in whose name donations have been made and recorded in our Book of Remembrance; and at the same time we are providing funds to charities for children with special needs. The Foundation is a registered charity and issues tax receipts for donations made. Funds are

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received through the generosity of individual members of RTANL in memory of deceased colleagues and friends. RTANL Provincial makes an annual donation, the seven Divisions of RTANL make annual donations and as well undertake various fundraising events, bequests from wills of deceased members, and interest accrued from investments. The recipient charities are chosen on an annual basis and available funds; neither the charity nor the amount given is a guaranteed donation.

During the past year Foundation Board members have been invited by the Canadian Diabetes Association to attend a luncheon at Camp Douwanna and view first-hand how the donation affects the lives of these children. Camp participants also presented us with their hand-made thank you card. Vice-chair Anne Pennell represented the Board. An invitation was received to attend a ceremony at Government House in honour of volunteers during Autism Awareness Week. Once again, Vice-chair Anne Pennell represented the Board. Past Chair, Jim Dobson, attended a dinner of appreciation honouring volunteers at Lion Max Simms Camp.

The Book of Remembrance is an ongoing project. Divisions are encouraged to collect information for deceased members and forward it to the Board. There are five volumes completed and stored at The

Rooms. Volume VI will be completed when sufficient information has been collected. We ask all members to help us continue to honour our deceased colleagues and friends. In Memoriam Cards for the Foundation are available from any Board member as well as at funeral homes throughout the province.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I thank all individual members who have donated. RTANL, our sponsoring body, thank you for all your support financially and otherwise. The Foundation could not be the success that it is without your support and co-operation. We thank our seven Divisions who, through your donations and fundraising, help make our Foundation a success. To Western Division, thank you for sponsoring the Social and Dinner – an event of which you can be justly proud. Thank you for inviting all recipients to join us for a great meal. Last, but not least, a thank you to our volunteer Board of Directors. You are helping to fulfill the dreams of these children.

As we continue our fundraising, I encourage all retired teachers to consider making ‘Your Foundation’ your charity of choice. All members of RTANL can be proud of the contribution they continue to make in the lives of the children of this province.

THE JOAN BURKE MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPThe family of the late Joan Burke has established a scholarship at Memorial University in her memory. The scholarship will be awarded to students in the Faculty of Education who, during their course of studies, are assigned an internship in the classroom. When funds reach a level that the earned interest can pay a scholarship of up to $1,500 to a deserving student, the scholarship will be awarded in consultation with the Burke family.

Joan, who passed away in 2011 with a major illness, was a teacher with 30 years of teaching experience. She always thought that interns were very helpful to teachers in the classroom and played an important role in the development of the children. Joan was a dedicated teacher and loved her profession and always wanted to give back. Her family decided to honour that wish and have organized an annual walk for Joan, usually in September around Quidi Vidi Lake. The walk usually raises between $1,500 - $1,700 annually; however, donations may be made at any time in Joan’s memory as follows:

Cheques should be payable to Memorial University of Newfoundland and mailed to:Rollie Burke

105- 27 Rhodora StreetSt. John’s, NL A1A 0M8

Or donations can be sent directly to the Alumni Office at Memorial University, Attention: the Joan Burke Memorial Scholarship.


Presentation to the Autism Society by Past Chairperson Jim Dobson, accepted by Nicholas and Mark LaCosta.

Presentation to War Amps CHAMPS Program by Vice Chairperson Anne Pennell, accepted by Katarina Roxon, ParaPan Am Games Swimming Medalist.

Presentation to Candlelighters Camp Delight by Treasurer Roberta Pafford, accepted by Michael Barry.

Presentation to CNIB Children’s Services by Board Director Agnes Hughes, accepted by Donna Byrne.

Presentation to Canadian Diabetes Association Camp Douwanna by Secretary Lil Critch, accepted by Stephen, Maggie and Susan Peckford.

Presentation to Mazol Shriners Patient Transportation Fund by Chairperson Geraldine Wall, accepted by Ill. Sir Doug Rowe and Patient Katy Cashin.

Presentation to Tourette Syndrome Association by Vice-Chairperson Anne Pennell, and accepted by Irene Sturge.

Presentation to Rainbow Riders by Chairperson Geraldine Wall, to Vice-Chairperson Anne Pennell on their behalf.

Presentation to Down Syndrome Society by Board Director Bernie Meiwald, accepted by Gabriel and Julie Giles on their behalf.

Presentation to Lion Max Simms Camp by RTANL President Thomas Kendell and accepted by Past Chairperson Jim Dobson on their behalf.

Presentation of Donations to Children’s Charities


October 25, 2015

Dear ACER-CART Members:

It is a week since Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party swept into power in a most decisive way. ACER-CART thanks all its Members and retired teachers who involved themselves in the democratic process, who became in-formed, shared materials, and joined the discussion; and who then exercised the great privilege and civic respon-sibility of voting.

ACER-CART congratulates all candidates who served our country by putting their names forward, engaging in a long campaign that surely took its toll on family and friends. We appreciate their courage and their sense of duty to better our society.

ACER-CART looks forward to meeting with the members of the new Parliament. We pledge to work with them as they address the needs of seniors across the land, to share the insights and the vision we have of dignity and compassion for all of our fellow Canadians as they age in this country.

In the months leading to the election, we had the opportunity to link with many like-minded organizations. These coalitions gave us the opportunity to put forward our priorities as significant items to be discussed with all of the candidates regardless of their political party. We intend to pursue collaborating with organizations of similar aims so that together we can assist and influence the new government to adopt policies that are in the best interest of seniors and of all Canadians.

Much has been promised, and the way forward may not always be smooth. But we have hope that circumstances will align themselves so that the new Government may fulfill its mandate to address the needs of all citizens in accordance with the values we hold as Canadians, the perception we have about who we are, and the future we want for our children and our grandchildren.

Yours sincerely,

JoAnn Lauber President


ACER-CART ReportJune 5-6, 2015Thomas Kendell, Director & Don White, Observer

RTANL President Thomas Kendell and Secretary Don White attended the 24th Annual General Meeting of ACER-CART from June 5-6, 2015 in the Ottawa office of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF).

PRE-AGM SEMINARS AND PRESENTATIONS Prior to the AGM, delegates met on Thursday, June 4 at the Southway Hotel to participate in pre-AGM seminars and presentations that included an orientation session for new delegates presented by Vaughn Wadelius, and presentations from Lorraine Rekmans for the Greens, MP Irene Mathyssen for the NDP, and John McCallum for the Liberals. The Conservative Party was unable to send a rep to our pre-AGM forum on Thursday afternoon.

EXECUTIVE REPORTS The Friday AGM session received reports from the Executive officers, the standing committees. The report of 2014-15 President JoAnn Lauber highlighted actions taken during her term: Advocacy ties with:

1. the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF);

2. the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), the Congress of Union Retirees (CURC) with the Seniors Vote Coalition;

3. the National Association of Federal Retirees (NAFR – formally FSNA) with the Canadian Coalition for Retirement Security;

4. the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) with the Choosing Wisely Canada and the Alliance for a National Seniors Strategy; and

5. the production of a brochure, A Vision for Canada/une vision pour le Canada, a non-partisan but politically strategic statement in support of seniors prepared by ACER-CART.

The Executive Director, Roger Régimbal, reported that finances were on a sound footing, with a balanced budget proposed for 2015-16. He indicated that there was an increase of 2,299 members this year.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Communications: Use of the website to provide various documents and information for Directors during the year; the publication of three communications; conference calls used to facilitate discussion.

Karma Creative Solutions is preparing a new “friendly” website. There is more news to come on this. At least one issue of OPTIONS, the ACER-CART Newsletter, is prepared per year. As well, communication reports are sent to the directors and observers, usually after the three executive conference calls.

REPORT FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR Communications Chair, Norbert Boudreau, advocates the following consideration for the use of Twitter: ACER-CART and associates should reach out to our politicians by using social media, especially as we are going into an election on or before October 19, 2015. Twitter is the easiest way to communicate our message – A vision for Canada/une vision pour le Canada.

HEALTH SERVICES & INSURANCE• Health care trends across Canada; • Commonly used drugs and paramedical services; • Information on initiatives to stay healthy.

Legislation: The Legislation Committee recommended that Articles dealing with member associations, signing officers, the termination of mandate of officers and ballot proceedings be amended.

Pension & Retirement Income: The three types of pension plans were defined and explained:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan • Defined Contribution Plan • Target Benefit Pension Plan

The Committee only supports the Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Political Advocacy:Under the direction of the 2014 AGM, the Political Advocacy Committee undertook to meet its mandate to focus on the 2015 federal election by designing and writing an advocacy pamphlet and accompanying support documents. The theme of this pamphlet is WORKING TO ACHIEVE A CARING, CONSULTATIVE AND COMMITTED CANADIAN PARLIAMENT. Both the Communications and the Pensions Committees were involved.

Wayne Hughes, the new chair of Political Advocacy, said in July 2015: Our AGM in June reaffirmed the need to “engage Members and their membership in the


political process”. In addition, our new brochure states “ACER-CART wants to ensure that each political party and its candidates are fully engaged in communications with seniors”. AGM members were both excited and impressed with the work done by BCRTA entitled “BCRTA Seniors’ Issues for the 2015 Federal Election”. Consequently, our President has met with BCRTA and asked for permission to use and share their well-researched and thoughtful document with ACER-CART members across Canada. At this stage we are simply asking that you “STAY TUNED” and watch for the final product and start to make plans for circulation to retired teachers across Canada. Some provincial associations are planning a centerfold pull out in their fall newsletter as the most cost effective way to circulate these ideas to their membership.

ACER-CART POSITIONS TAKEN

1. That the current Facebook account be discontinued.

2. That ACER-CART encourage Members to utilize social media to support communications regarding the political advocacy work that is intended for the October federal election.

3. That Articles that refer to MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS be amended to state MEMBERS

4. That ACER-CART become a partner with McMaster University in the “Optimal Aging Portal” project, and further that ACER-CART recommend the same to members.

5. THAT ACER-CART lobby the federal government to take a leadership role and work with the provinces to ensure, through a national housing strategy, that affordable and supportive housing is available to all Canadians.

MEMBER REPORTS The ACER-CART members reported on the activities they have undertaken in their respective provinces and territory. There were many issues of common concern brought forward, especially in the areas of pensions and health care.

KUDOS1. Recognition was paid to the assistance to ACER-

CART by Canadian Teachers’ Federation staff (Lynne Richard and Samantha Perrin), and the financial support of Johnson Inc.

2. The Friday night banquet at the Southway Hotel saw service awards presented to five departing delegates: June Szeman (RTO/ERO), Vaughn Wadelius (RTAM), Sonia Roy (SERFNB), George Georget

(SAS) and Sheridyth MacNeill (PEIRTA). We thank them for the work done on behalf of the Association.

In addition, guests were treated to a presentation by Peggy Taillon from the Canadian Council on Social Development. She is a passionate advocate for equality and social justice. A dynamic and compelling public speaker, she spoke on creating a strong, resilient, and caring nation that values the well-being and contributions of all its citizens.

PRESENTATIONS Cassandra Hallett DaSilva, Secretary General of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), brought greetings to the delegates at the ACER-CART AGM.

Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) Susan Eng, Vice-President, Advocacy spoke to the delegates about Seniors Vote. She spoke about the coalition of like-minded associations speaking about the same issues: housing, pensions, home care, pharmacare and pensions.

Richard Harrison, Senior Consultant with Johnson Inc., reviewed travel trends with the delegates. Canadians, especially retirees, are huge international travelers.

Richard offered the following:

a) According to Statistics Canada, travel to the United States between October 2013 and October 2014 declined by 1.1% to 23.06 million overnight trips;

b) For the same period, travel overseas increased by 8.5% to 10.35 million overnight trips;

c) There have been notable increases in travel insurance premium rates across the broader marketplace, largely driven by changes in currency, particularly weakness in the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar;

d) Some insurers are also implementing changes to policies and medical evidence requirements, with the objective of improving claims experience;

e) Medical inflation and the impact of “Obamacare” are also both expected to have negative impact on the cost of travel insurance;

f) The Conference Board of Canada reports that the majority of Canadian consumers prefer to purchase travel insurance in person or over the telephone;

g) ACER-CART is most fortunate to be associated with Johnson Inc., not only for its financial contribution, but also for its traditional presentation on a variety of issues/topics at its AGM.

In a presentation by the National Association of Federal Retirees (NAFR – formerly FSNA entitled Working Together for Retirement Security, representative Sayward


Montague spoke about the vision, the objective, the goals and the strategy of a Canadian Coalition for Retirement Security. Employers must honour the existing pension commitments to pensioners, veterans and employees. The Coalition is seeking Legislation that ensures public and private sector employers abide by their commitments to pensioners, veterans and employees.

Priorities of ACER-CART 2015-2016:

a) Continue to foster and engage in alliances that promote the goals, policies and values of ACER-CART.

b) Employ effective advocacy strategies to amplify the voice of ACER-CART and engage Members and their membership in the political process.

c) Develop a strategic plan.

THE 2015-2016 ACER-CART EXECUTIVE

President: JoAnn Lauber (BCRTA), New Westminster, BC; Vice-President: Brian Kenny (RTO/ERO), Burlington, ON – Chair: Health Services and Insurance; Past President: Dr. Thomas Gaskell (RTO-NSTU), Little Bras d’Or, NS – Chair: Nominations and Elections; Regional Representatives, East: Dr. James MacAuley (PEIRTA), St. Peter’s Bay, PE – Chair: Pension and Retirement Income; Regional Representatives, Ontario: Norbert Boudreau (RTO/ERO), Nepean, ON – Chair: Communications; Regional Representatives, West: Wayne Hughes (RTAM), Winnipeg, MB – Chair: Political Advocacy; Executive Director: Roger Régimbal, Gloucester, ON; Special Advisor: Vaughn Wadelius, The Pas, MB

ACER-CART Executive, Delegates and Observers in Ottawa, June 2015.


Political DebatesSharron Callahan, Chair NL Coalition of Pensioners, Retirees, and Seniors Associations

Have you had enough of political debates? Daily polls on who is ahead and behind? Has voter fatigue got you down? By the time you read this article, I can promise you some peace from all the “politicking”, as now the time for accountability has come. And seeking accountability is exactly what the Coalition will be doing. All the affiliated organizations have worked too hard to now sit back without expecting delivery on the promises made. Over the coming months, the Coalition will be sitting down with the federal and provincial governments to ensure there is an action plan for those promises for which you cast your vote.

But let’s just reminisce for a moment on the political debates that the Coalition mounted in October and November.

October 1 was National Seniors’ Day and the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, and what better day to host a debate amongst candidates for the federal election. The forum was held at the Knights of Columbus on Ricketts Road in St. John’s, was moderated by Peter Jackson of The Telegram, with opening remarks by myself. Our speakers were Ryan Cleary, NDP candidate, St. John’s South-Mount Pearl and Seamus O’Regan, Liberal candidate also for the riding of St. John’s South-Mount Pearl. Merrick Krol, the Conservative candidate for the same district did attend but without having given notice to be present, he could not be accommodated on stage but was advised to the audience, who could choose to speak with him should they wish. More than 150 persons attended and the questions were provocative. Topics extended through health care, access to medications, housing and affordability to maintain your living accommodations, being able to continue to live in your own home and community for as long as possible with supports if needed, issues of financial security and having enough income to live with dignity, and the escalating costs of being able to afford the basic necessities of life if you live on a fixed income. Mr. Cleary and Mr. O’Regan both made opening and closing remarks and throughout the evening gave their party’s position on such issues as removing the OAS age increase to 67, a national pharmacare program, a seniors housing strategy, and measures that would ensure that vulnerable citizens (seniors, veterans, aboriginal, homeless) would have

access to the services they need and deserve. Was the evening successful? I believe so, as it focused exclusively on seniors’ issues and there was significant interest surrounding the background to the issues raised by the Moderator. Did we learn lessons for the provincial debate? Of course, and so onto the next forum, which was held on November 9, 2015.

Our provincial debate was held at the Main Auditorium, School of Medicine, as it had elevated seating for better visibility and a fully equipped sound system for better audio service. A huge thank you goes to Dr. Roger Butler for his assistance in arranging this location and for his suggestions to the questions to be discussed. Minister Clyde Jackman attended for the Progressive Conservative Party, Cathy Bennett for the Liberals, and the New Democratic Party was represented by Allison Coffin. The moderator for the evening was Ralph Morris, a well-known and respected advocate on seniors’ issues. Like the federal debate, all issues affecting seniors were on the table, including such topics as poverty amongst seniors, provincial programs to increase the disposable income amongst older eligible persons, health care services for seniors, aging at home, why Newfoundland and Labrador bases its assessment processes for long term care on assets and not need (as all other provinces do), privatization of nursing homes, and the desperate need in this Province for a Seniors’ Advocate. Again, we had a large turnout and, as the interest built in discussing the topics, questions from the audience arose, with lineups happening at the microphones. There were moments when the exchange between the candidates became heated, which added spice to the evening and clearly signaled the differences of opinion between the political parties on issues of importance to seniors. It was a successful evening and the issues were spoken to by those seeking your vote on election day but, in the end, the decision was yours as you made that choice when you cast your ballot.

The political rhetoric is now over and the reckoning has arrived. Stay tuned for updates as the Coalition holds those accountable for their promises of a better living for aging persons to now “pay the piper”.


What Should I Do When My Teacher Spouse Dies?Perry Downey

During many of my Pre-Retirement Seminars, when I have been explaining the NLTA Life Insurance policies, I have often said that “the longer we live, the closer we are all getting to death”. Unfortunately for many of us, when that day comes and our teacher spouse passes, those of us who remain to mourn the loss of our loved one do not know what to do or who to turn to for assistance. Many are also often not in a frame of mind to have to deal with the various groups and agencies to ensure that the post-death benefits are arranged and paid in a timely fashion. For those left behind, life must go on and avoiding unnecessary delays will help relieve some of the grief and stress that we otherwise might experience.

Over the years, I receive many calls from loved ones of teachers who have passed asking for direction and guidance in dealing with their circumstance. The following is provided as a process that a survivor, a loved one, or a close friend of the family should use to report the death of a teacher in order to avoid unnecessary delays in having post-death benefits (e.g., life insurances, health coverage, survivor pension, etc.) paid and/or arranged in a timely fashion.

The first step is for someone to contact one or all of the following agencies as soon as possible to report the death: Johnson Inc. (1-800-563-1528), the Department of Finance, Pensions Division (1-709-729-3931/3932), or the NLTA office (1-800-563-3599). By contacting only one of the mentioned entities, the remaining two will be automatically notified, if necessary. The person reporting the death should have the following information available when making the initial contact:

• Full Name of Deceased• Social Insurance Number of Deceased• Date of Death• Name, mailing address and telephone number of

Surviving Spouse (or Next of Kin, if there is no surviving spouse)

• Name, mailing address, and telephone number of the Executor of the Estate, if an Executor has been appointed

The second step to avoid delay is to fax or email a copy of the Statement of Death or Death Certificate that was provided by the Funeral Director to the Pensions Division (email: [email protected] or fax: 1-709-729-6790). Once these agencies have been notified of the death, all three will forward the necessary

documentation to the appropriate person and will provide any further guidance and direction to the family of the deceased.

In addition to the above-mentioned agencies, Service Canada should also be notified of the death (www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/lifeevents/loss.shtml). Often times, the necessary applications and documentations are provided by the Funeral Director. Once in receipt of this information, if it is possible from where you live, one should visit their Service Canada office for assistance to complete and submit the necessary applications and documents. A copy of the Death Certificate will also be required by Service Canada. If unable to visit a Service Canada office, a call to your local Service Canada office would be advisable when completing the forms.

The death of a loved one is often a very sad and difficult time in one’s life, but being able to avoid any further grief and stress that may be caused by delays in receiving post-death benefits can often help those who are mourning their loss to try to focus and to move on with their own lives.

If you have any question regarding the above, please feel free to contact Perry Downey, Administrative Staff Officer with the NLTA (Tel: 1-800-563-3599, ext. 226 or [email protected])

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RETIRED TEACHERS

The NLTA Group Insurance Trustees have decided that, effective April 1, 2016, all information regarding the NLTA Group Insurance Program will be sent directly to all members of the program (active and retired) electronically, as well as placed on the NLTA website for access. Given the ever-increasing costs of postage, no longer will direct mailing be an option. Any changes to the insurance program will also be provided to the Retired Teachers’ Association for mailing and printed in their Newsletter. If you have an email address and have not already provided it to the NLTA, please do so as soon as possible by emailing: [email protected] or by contacting the NLTA office at 1-800-563-3599. If you do not have an email address, please contact the NLTA office.


My First BGM and ReunionBeverly Fisher

2010 will always be known as the Year of Igor, especially on the east coast of our province. We in Bonavista Division remember it well, for the destruction that took place in our communities during those few days and the hardships faced by some of our members for weeks afterwards. 2010 was also the year of my first RTANL BGM-Reunion.

Our RTANL Newsletter began announcing the October 2010 dates several issues before the actual event. Like in other years, I saw it but it wasn’t until the June issue that I paid attention. I had just been elected President of Bonavista Division and I thought that it would be of benefit for me, and my Division, if I attended. When I mentioned my plan at an executive meeting, three of our executive members decided that it would be nice to attend as a group. We didn’t know what it was all about, really, but we figured we’d give it a try. Going as a group not only saved money, but we figured that we would be together if we didn’t enjoy the situations in which we might find ourselves. A fifth member of our executive, who had attended several previous BGMs, went on his own.

On October 5, the four of us set out together on our road trip. We shared the cost of the gas and the hotel room. We had forgotten how much fun sleepovers were and how little sleep was gotten at them. Of course we were all females, and there was so much to talk about!

From the moment we stepped into Hotel Gander we felt welcome. Registration was a breeze. Several hours had been allotted for this, to accommodate the various travel schedules of our membership, so we had lots of time to get settled in before the first event, a supper to die for! Following the three-course meal we were treated to a skit by the Provincial Executive and a sing-a-long led by an executive member, and then there was some time for mingling. I met people that I hadn’t seen in a long time, a wonderful lady with whom I had taught in my early career and a few with whom I had shared classes at MUN. We hadn’t changed a bit (insert eye-roll here!). We also made some new and wonderful acquaintances. The attendees ranged in age from our early 50s to 80+.

Next day’s sessions began at 9:30, a decent hour for those who slept instead of chatted. The business meeting and presentations were very informative, especially to first-timers like ourselves. Several people brought greetings from their respective groups (e.g. Government, Town of Gander, NLTA), and topics such as pensions, insurance, benefits, and our provincial

RTANL were discussed. And of course there was a nutrition break! Before we broke for lunch we held the election for the Provincial Executive. Those elected stay in office for a two-year term.

Our business meeting continued in the afternoon. The members of the Retired Teachers’ Foundation had held their meeting during our lunch break, and upon our return they presented cheques to representatives of nine children’s charities (e.g. Autism Society, CNIB Children’s Services). It was so heartwarming to hear from these reps how our donations to the Foundation benefit the children of these charities. Business for that day ended and we were dismissed to get ready for the church service.

The Service of Worship and Thanksgiving that year was held at St. Martin’s Anglican Cathedral, and was conducted by its Rector. Members of the Provincial Executive read the names of all the teachers who had passed away since the previous reunion and a moment of silence followed. It was a very moving service and a fitting tribute to our deceased colleagues.

After the service we returned to our hotel to get ready for the evening’s festivities. The Reunion Dinner on October 6 was a banquet fit for a queen. Following this a local comic entertained us, and then it was time to dance the night away to music provided by a local DJ. Throughout both socials, names were drawn for prizes that were supplied by various divisions and by local businesses.

On the final morning, sessions began again at 9:30. Ralph Morris from the Coalition of Public Pensioners gave us a very informative talk on the work of the Coalition and encouraged us to be proactive in keeping pensions in the forefront of any discussions we may have with our MHAs. We continued with any unfinished business and the new Provincial Executive was installed. Then the 2010 BGM was adjourned. We had lots of time for a lunch before we hit the road!

Well, that’s it in a nutshell! Think about it. This coming October the BGM-Reunion is back in Gander. Whether you come alone, come with your other half and make it a getaway trip, or come with a group and enjoy the camaraderie, you’ll have a good time. You’ll see old friends and make new ones. You will be able to put faces to the names you see in your Newsletter. You’ll be sure to find something to pique your interest! Be an active member in your RTANL. Make the trek! Like me, you will want to keep coming back!


Beaumont-Hamel – 2015Don White

In August and September 2015 my wife and I, along with our daughter, two grandchildren, son-in-law and his parents, made memories during a trip of a lifetime. But that is a story in itself. In this article I simply wish to concentrate on one aspect of this vacation – an unforgettable visit to Beaumont-Hamel, France.

When we determined that we would be spending eight days in Paris, I knew immediately it was going to be my opportunity to fulfil a dream that for years was part of my “Bucket List”, namely to pay a visit to Beaumont-Hamel where so many young Newfoundlanders, many of them in their late teens or early twenties, gave their all to secure our freedom. After many hours of Internet searching before we left home, four of us – namely my wife, son-in-law’s parents and I – had purchased our train tickets which would take us north from Paris to Amiens, to Albert and then on to Beaumont-Hamel.

August 25, 2015 dawned a beautiful sunny day. We met at the train station and shortly before 11 a.m. we began our train journey to Amiens where we changed trains and then travelled on to Albert. Once we arrived in Albert we hired a taxi for the last leg of our journey – about 11 kilometres. Stepping out of the taxi, for me, was an emotional experience. As I read the sign “Welcome to the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial”, for a moment I found it difficult to realize that I had finally arrived at a site which means so much to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians!

For about two hours we traced walkways through historical grassland now neatly manicured but still bearing evidence of war. We walked along pathways which took us through the trenches, saw a landscape scarred with craters caused by a myriad of explosions, noted row after row of stark white grave markers in several cemeteries, came face-to-face with signs citing “Danger – No Entry – Undetonated Explosives”, pondered the “Danger Tree”, and history came alive!

Because I was busy with my camera, I fell behind my party of three others and walked alone for much of

my journey. Walking slowly through the Hawthorne Cemetery, my eyes took note of every grave marker showing the Caribou Symbol, thus indicating the final resting place of young Newfoundlanders, many of whom died before reaching the age of 20. In the distance I caught a glimpse of familiar colors and as I drew nearer, I concluded that someone had walked these same steps before me and had “planted” a tiny Newfoundland flag next to a marker indicating the grave of William Masters Age 23. I felt fortunate that no member of my family had died in the war, but this

young man represented for me the multitude of young Newfoundlanders who enlisted and went overseas never to return and what their loss must have meant to their parents. I wished I had brought with me a flower or wreath to place in remembrance. Looking to my right, I saw a potentilla shrub in full bloom. It was then that I did something, which under normal circumstances I would never contemplate, but my emotions of the moment forced me to pick one solitary, yellow bloom and set it gently next to the Newfoundland flag. It became my act of remembrance. I knelt on the grass, whispered a silent prayer and moved further along the white markers. Needless to say, I spent many similar moments as I continued my walk. As I came to the end of my visit and I was

contemplating the Danger Tree, it seemed that even Mother Nature joined me in sorrow. A gentle, misty rain began to fall. “Was that why my cheeks were moist?” I wondered.

November 11, 2015 was also a beautiful sunny day. As I stood, wearing my Caribou Pin from Beaumont-Hamel, observed the Remembrance Ceremonies at the Mount Pearl War Memorial and watched the wreath laying, my memory wandered back to Beaumont-Hamel in August and that lone, yellow potentilla bloom. This Remembrance Day certainly had a greater significance for me than most previous ones. My visit to Beaumont-Hamel was the reason.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we WILL remember them.


Presentation to the NLTA Panel on the Status of Public Education In NL

Mary March Room, Mount Peyton Hotel, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

October 22, 2015, 6:45 p.m.by Thomas Kendall

I would like to thank you Mr. President for the invitation to present and participate in this consultative process on the status of Education in this province. It is a pleasure for me, as President of RTANL, to be here this evening, representing retired teachers of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I would like to bring greetings from the Provincial Association and wish you all the best in your deliberations. It is hard to believe that I have been retired for 11 years now. However as a retired teacher, like many others, we continue to volunteer our time to make our communities a better place in which to live. In fact, we have a Retired Teachers’ Foundation that donates thousands of dollars to children’s charities every year in this province.

As Life Members we continue to be very proud and supportive of our Association and all the work that it does for not only retired teachers, but all teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Like the NLTA branches, RTANL has divisions across this province. There are currently about 7000 retired teachers in our province and the number keeps growing.

When the President invited me to present to the panel I wondered why! What do I, as a retired teacher, have to offer to the present state of education in this province?

Maybe first I should reflect on my educational career very briefly to give you some idea of the changing lives of teachers in a changing society. In the late 1960s teachers with very little university training, if any, taught students in multi-grade classrooms and they taught the textbook. They started out on Page 1 in September and finished the book in the latter part of May. There were public examinations then in Grades 9-11 and teachers were judged on their performances by how many students passed the public exams. In my early years there was no Special Education, students repeated grades and those who were not academically inclined dropped out of school in Grade 9 or when they were of the age to do so. There was no professional development for teachers and teachers taught the whole school year and they had the full support of the parents

and the community. Teachers also taught Sunday school and had church services…They were preachers as well as teachers!

In the mid 1970s after I finished my degrees I became a Special Education teacher and shortly afterwards I attended the University of British Columbia and became an Itinerant Teacher for Students who are Visually Impaired and Blind. I worked with the school boards in Central Newfoundland until I retired in 2004. Prior to 1982 students who were visually impaired and blind in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the other three Atlantic Provinces attended the School for the Blind in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With the advent of integration and mainstreaming and qualified itinerant teachers, students could now stay and go to school in their own communities. This Inclusion Model continues today for all students with all exceptionalities.

Before I retired in 2004 we had a Regional Office in Grand Falls-Windsor for Itinerants and other district staff…VI, HI, SLP, Ed Psych, Computer Specialists and CDLI. This building was closed down and those positions were put in the schools… actually some CDLI teachers were operating out of their homes. When all those specialists were together under one roof it was a sharing of ideas and much collaboration regarding caseloads. Today those specialists are in different schools and operate in isolation. CDLI teachers teach students in rural communities throughout the province. They teach courses that I did not have the opportunity to take when I was growing up – Chemistry, Physics, French, etc. – and students are doing well. Needless to say you have to have good internet connections in our schools to ensure that those courses are being taught adequately. This was in the news a few weeks ago. It can’t be an election issue…It has to be an educational one! We must ensure that students and schools have the connectivity in order for those courses to be taught.

After I retired in 2004 I was elected as a trustee on the school board in Central Newfoundland and became the chair for four years and Vice Chair for four years until all the boards collapsed into one provincial English Board. Actually, I was President of the Newfoundland


and Labrador School Boards Association for one year. Before the mega-boards, smaller school boards were connected to the communities in which they served. Today the average person knows very little about the school board and who the appointed trustees are. There is no connection to the communities. No one seems to know who is on the school board anymore or what the role of the school board actually is! There has been no election for trustees to serve on the school board which is contrary to The School’s Act. There is no elected trustee on this new board from Lewisporte to Baie Verte! At one time program coordinators from the District Offices would visit the schools and assist teachers with their programming. There are still Regional Offices in this province with many people but it seems that there is little contact with teachers and students in our schools. I realize that the District is quite large but there needs to be more accountability for those positions at the regional level and the taxpayers’ dollars. We cannot continue to cut classroom positions.

The School’s Act of 1997 recognized the establishment of School Councils in this province. I served on school councils when my children were in school and now as a community representative and chair on the school council at our local high school. School councils were established for parents and the community to have input more directly in community schools. This collaboration is great; however, it can be a problem when parents do not want to be involved or if there is a perception that teachers control the council or the council becomes just another school committee. When I was a trustee on the school board we held regional meetings with school councils throughout Central Newfoundland in order for us to know and better understand the needs of the schools. Today there does not seem to be a connection between trustees and school councils and the communities in which they serve or among school councils themselves.

There needs to be more training for school councils and more connection between school councils and the Federation of School Councils. Maybe the Federation of School Councils should be provided the funding to bring school councils together and provide training in different regions of the province. The latest school council handbook is dated June 2008 and print copies are no longer available. It is time for it to be updated. Government should be funding school councils as they are funding school boards. School Council members should not be spending their own money to attend their own AGMs that may be held in different parts of the province. School Board members are totally reimbursed so why not school council members? School Council members should not be out of pocket either.

In our province there is a perception that no one fails anymore and that we have continuous promotion from grade to grade and that there are few standards. We hear that students can’t read and write or that they can’t do Mathematics only with a calculator. Mental Math or doing Math in your head seems to be a concept of the past. Sometimes there is a sense of entitlement among students for better grades without putting a whole lot of effort into getting them. Government seems to be putting a lot of money into Math programs to engage a better understanding of Math concepts; however, I am not sure that it is focusing a better understanding of what Math is all about. We may be taking a long route to a simple answer!

We have a lot of technology in the classrooms today from iPads to iPods to Smartbooks to Smartboards, Teamboards, calculators, cellphones and other technology to enhance learning. Learning today is instant. It is at the touch of a button. Unlike years ago the teacher is not the person who has all the answers. We are living in a digital age where the student can be as smart as the teacher. However, teachers still have a significant role to play in the classroom environment. They must facilitate the learning process and direct their teaching towards positive learning outcomes.

Full day Kindergarten is slated to begin in 2016. In Grand Falls-Windsor we have an overcrowded primary and elementary school now and an elementary school that is supposed to be closing. The old Regional Board Office is being reverted back into a primary school and further extensions will have to be done to accommodate moving from five schools to four. Hopefully those renovations should be done before September of 2016 before the students enter school and not while they are attending! We have a high school that is still undergoing renovations.

As a retired teacher we want the best for our children and grandchildren. It is a very different world today than the one that we grew up in. We want our children to be the best they can be so that they can compete in this digital world. Universities and school boards must provide the training in technology to ensure that our teachers are up to date with the latest technology and the knowledge of all educational tools to teach our children. Upon graduation our students should be equipped with the prerequisites to attend universities and colleges anywhere in this country and beyond. 21st Century Learning is far different from learning in the 20th Century! Times change and we have to change with them. Teach our children the love of learning and the skills that they need so that they can be motivated to pursue their choice of future careers. Don’t enable them to be failures later on in life!


The 21st century skills are a set of abilities that students need to develop in order to succeed in the information age. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills lists three types:

• Learning Skills: Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Collaborating, Communicating

• Literacy Skills: Information Literacy, Media Literacy, Technology Literacy

• Life Skills: Flexibility, Initiative, Social Skills, Productivity, Leadership

See more at: https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/FAQ/what-are-21st-century-skills#sthash.4HKgeUWr.dpuf

Anatole France said, “An education isn’t how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It’s being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don’t.”

Here is a quote by Michael J. Fox in relation to teaching and learning. He said, “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

Thank you Mr. President and I wish you and your panel all the best as you travel around the province.

Here are some comments from a retired teacher: From what I can gather from leading experts (MUN math professors) in an article a year ago, that math in our school system is failing our kids, especially in lower grades. The philosophy and approach is too time consuming on little concepts and major and more important math knowledge is not covered properly.

As for most of the Social Studies courses, even at high school, I’m pleased with the content approach as it allows for creativity, knowledge of local identity, and flexible enough for teachers to interest a cross section of students. Emphasis on NL is good and must in the end benefit the student’s views on local life, etc. The ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) approach is a great addition and gives student knowledge of the cultural makeup of NL and sharpens their identity as a people. That is good.

I don’t know if the new approach to teaching some courses today is rewarding to the students. Some teachers have become just facilitators of content and very little teaching of content concept is missing. When a course is on a stick and every class in a slideshow on content, and students are following along on content handouts, makes for a mundane approach, I think. There is nothing wrong with getting down and dirty with teaching concepts; use the whiteboard, show how a diagram is constructed in step format so students

can understand at their pace, etc. A criticism I have concern with is there is very little concept teaching today, i.e. in Geography: weathering, glaciation, rivers, climates, weather features, etc., etc., are emphasized less and less all the time. I don’t think case studies with a general application question are going to teach detailed concepts that students need to know for proper understanding and preparation for higher level teaching institutions, etc. Apparently, this general approach in case studies, social issues, is the accepted norm now and is planned in grade 10/Level I Geography. Not really sure if it’s the best approach and most beneficial to the student in the end. Probably, poor performances on Public Exams dictate such an approach. It’s the computer age but detailed concepts need to be taught and the system needs not to be watered down. Only the student suffers...

From a Grandmother: Not sure but saw my niece, my grandkids struggle with Math so much and I have Grade 11 but it was French to me, even for a kid in Grade 6. I couldn’t help them the way I knew how. The way they go about working it out was absolutely nuts. Need to go back to the basics when 2+2 = 4, no matter how you go about arriving at the answer.

From a Post-Secondary Trades Instructor who teaches the construction/industrial and Electrical program at CONA and parent of a Kindergarten child and a Grade 4 child: Math skills right out of high school are rare these days. Most I get do OK. We have two math courses added within the past eight years I’ve been involved in the trades. You’ll always have great students. But there has been a steady decline over the years I feel. I also believe it needs to be reviewed. I’m all for new learning but it’s more confusing for the child at least in my experience. In math (at least for me) I enjoyed because of a linear way of problem solving. Today it seems they are trying to show multiple angles, to which I can understand, but feel it is too early an age to introduce if at all. Plus how are parents to help if they too don’t grasp the concept. I can only think back to my own learning experience. I did my times tables in grade three. Was the last in my class to get them...My daughter is learning math facts now, and just recently completed rounding in grade four.

From current teachers:

Teacher #1: Yes, I have lots of thoughts on this topic. Lack of support and resources for the French Immersion Program stand out. Also, the “soft cap” for number of students in a classroom is another issue. 27


students in a primary class are too many, especially in a second language learning environment.

Teacher #2: More support for Arts Education is needed. Stop prioritizing certain subjects over others. The cap on the classes is a huge thing: they put so many students in one room and everybody loses. The teacher can’t possibly help each student. As for math – there are many different ways to get to the answer. We can’t just pretend that memorization means learning. It may be difficult for those of us who learned a certain way to understand it, but when teachers are given the proper support and resources to teach the material, we can all learn in a 21st century classroom. Also, the kindergarten curriculum and the grade 12 curriculum are totally different and need to be discussed separately.

Principal: Here are the core areas of concern: 1) There is a lack of mental health training for teachers. Teachers feel uncomfortable dealing with students because they are afraid of making issues worse. 2) School district is adding more responsibilities to teachers’ work, such as the digital citizenship lessons. 3) Teachers are unable to provide functional curriculum programming for students because of lack of facilities, such as cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, and making beds. Rural schools are unable to provide the required programs for students. 4) Rural schools are not able to send teachers to invitational PD because of higher costs and therefore these teachers are not as trained as urban teachers. 5) The excessive time it takes to put retired teachers on the substitute list. Why wait? Retired teachers cannot be called until regular substitutes are called so it does not cost anything to have them on the list. Rural schools need retired substitutes early in the school year or teachers have to cover for teachers who take leave for illness or PD.

Thomas Kendell President, Retired Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

WelcomeRecently Retired

TeachersWe extend a sincere welcome to all teachers who retired sometime in 2015, and encourage you to maintain your ties with your former colleagues by becoming members of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. We welcome you to our Association.

Although you are retired from teaching, you are now a lifetime member of the NLTA. You can become a member of the RTANL by completing a Fee Deduction Form and sending it to: RTANL, Kenmount Rd, St. John’s, A1B 1W1. When you become a member you will be added to our mailing list and receive correspondence from your Division as well as from Provincial RTANL. Should any of you know of members not receiving our mailouts, please advise your Division or contact the RTANL.

We would like to urge new members to become active in your Division as well as the Provincial RTANL. We are now 5,685 members strong and all of our Divisions would welcome your participation and input into all their events and activities. Come and join the fun!

On October 4-6, 2016 in Gander, we will be having our Reunion of Retired Teachers in conjunction with the RTANL Biennial General Meeting. Seriously consider this and plan to attend. We’ll be expecting you!

Motions for BGM:October 2016

Any RTANL members who wish to bring motions to BGM 2016 must first bring such

motions to their respective Divisions for approval. Such Division approved motions

must be submitted to the RTANL Provincial Executive BEFORE April 30, 2016. RTANL President Tom Kendell meets with members of

the Panel on the Status of Public Education in NL.


REMINDER re DECEASED MEMBERS

Please notify your Division President if you hear that any Member in your area has passed away. All Divisions make an annual donation to the Retired Teachers’ Foundation in memory of their deceased members. Also, your Provincial Executive extends sympathy to their families and friends through our In Memoriam column, and honours their memory as we read their names from the Honour Roll during the Church Service portion of our Biennial Reunions. We need your help to make sure that every name is included in the In Memoriam column and on the Honour Roll.

ADDRESSES • ADDRESSES • ADDRESSESIf you have a change of address or know of a retired colleague not receiving correspondence from the RTANL, please advise your Division President, and RTANL Treasurer c/o 3 Kenmount Road, St. John’s NL, A1B 1W1 or [email protected].

We would really like to keep our mailing list up to date so that members are informed and we avoid mail returns.Your cooperation in this matter would be much appreciated.

VISITATIONAll Divisions have Sick-Visiting Committees. Please notify your Division as soon as you hear that any member is ailing at home or in the hospital, so that visitations can be arranged. Members from other Divisions sent to hospital in St. John’s will be visited by Avalon East members, if requested by those Divisions. Early notification is essential. Contact person in St. John’s: Clayton Rice at 709-782-8914.

The BulletinTo receive a yearly subscription to The Bulletin from

the NLTA, send your name and mailing

address, along with a cheque or money

order for $18.00 (made payable to the

Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’

Association) to: Bulletin Subscriptions,

3 Kenmount Road, St. John’s, NL, A1B 1W1.


MEMBERSHIP CARD BENEFITSAll members are reminded to shop around for best prices. Pharmacies charge varying dispensing fees. If you live in an area where more than one pharmacy operates, it might be worth your while to check such fees. It is impossible for the editors of this Newsletter to publish details for all areas of the province so members, be vigilant. It may be of benefit to show your RTANL Membership Card to avail of discounts.

Please be advised that the Teacher Discount List can be accessed on the RTANL Link on the NLTA website (www.nlta.nl.ca). Go to Links, R for Retired Teachers’ Association, and then click “Retired Teachers’ Discount List”.

Letter BoxLetter Box – allows our members to contribute

to this newsletter. We are pleased that many of

our members continue to respond with articles,

stories, and letters and we look forward to

receiving many more.

Please send your submissions (preferably in

electronic form) to Don White, don.white01@

bellaliant.net or 76 Glendale Avenue, Mount

Pearl, A1N 1N6 prior to October 15 for the Fall

edition and prior to March 15 for the Spring

edition.

The Newsletter Committee reserves the right to

edit all submissions.

Tales Told By Teachers, Vols. I & IINeed a great gift idea (birthday, Christmas, retirement)?

This is it!And what a bargain: a special price of $10.00 for reveryone!

(*plus postage where applicable)

Contains stories, poems, amusing anecdotes – recalled by retired teachers:

“tales out of school” to make you laugh or cry – nostalgia at its best!

Volumes I and II were published by the Retired Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Volume I in 1998 and Volume II in August 2010.

Order by phone, e-mail or post:

Clayton Rice: [email protected]; (709) 782-8914

Thomas Kendell: [email protected]; (709) 489-2929

Don White: [email protected]; (709) 368-7269

RTANL, 3 Kenmount Road, St. John’s, NL A1B 1W1

NOTE: We have only a few copies of Volume I remaining. To avoid disappointment you may wish to purchase yours soon. No further printing is planned in the immediate future.


In MemoriamWe mourn the passing of the following retired teachers and extend sincere sympathy to their families and friends:

Luz V. Armil (Vancouver, BC)

Eldon Baker (Hillview)

Catherine D. Bartlett (Goulds)

Robert Batten (Heart’s Delight)

Sarah Mary Beresford-Lalond (Botwood)

Annie Buckle (St. John’s)

Mary G. Carey (Grand Falls-Windsor)

Frank Cramm (Old Perlican)

Ann Curtis (Botwood)

Frank M. Denney (Lewisporte)

Joseph Downey (St. John’s)

Mary Doyle (St. John’s)

Aloysius Drover (Baie Verte)

Alphonsus Farrell (Grand Falls-Windsor)

Noreen Fitzpatrick (Bell Island)

Dorothy M. Ford (Fredericton, NB)

Rayfield Fowlow (Port Rexton)

Angela Furey-Demas (Avondale)

Patricia Hynes (Kippens)

Sr. Mark Kennedy (St. John’s)

John Keough (King’s Cove)

Milton Loveless (Seal Cove, Fortune Bay)

Bernadette McCormack (Corner Brook)

Graham Mercer (Carbonear)

James Mercer (Bay Roberts)

Brigid Molloy (Victoria, BC)

Sr. Amelia Mooney (St. John’s)

Donald Morris (Lower Island Cove)

Henry C. Morris (Cupids Crossing)

Bramwell Mouland (Bonavista)

William G. Mouland (Lewisporte)

Doris Newhook (Clarke’s Beach)

David Organ (Bay L’argent)

Hilda Muriel Parsons (Bay Roberts)

Patricia Piercey (Corner Brook)

Jerry Pryor (Grand Falls-Windsor)

Sr. Anna St. Croix (St. John’s)

Isabel A. Templeton (St. John’s)

Otto Tucker (St. John’s)

Lester Vey (St. John’s)

Lloyd Webber (Bay Roberts)

May They Rest In Peace


Retired Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Fourteenth BGM and ReunionOctober 4-6, 2016 • Gander Hotel

Take a Look At Us Now EARLY BIRD registration deadline is August 26, 2016

All persons registered by August 26 will be eligible for one of two Early Bird Draws. (Your registration fee (minus $5.00) will be refunded after October 6, 2016 if you are unable to attend the Reunion.

Deadline for refund requests is September 28, 2016.)

Deadline for Registration is September 23, 2016

Reunion Fee (per person): $50.00 RTANL members 80 plus years of age and guest receive complimentary registration.

AccommodationsIndividuals must make their own arrangements for accommodations.

The RTANL has booked a block of rooms at the Gander Hotel, Tel: 709-256-3931 or toll free at 1-800-563-2988. When you reserve, please request RTANL rates.

For more information contact: RTANL c/o Clayton Rice, 3 Kenmount Rd, St. John’s, A1B 1W1Tel: (709) 782-8914 • Email: [email protected]

We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

TENTATIVE AGENDATuesday, October 4:3:00 -6:00 p.m. Registration7:00-8:00 p.m. Meet and Greet (Cash Bar/Finger Foods Provided)8:00-9:00 p.m. Kitchen Party Early Bird Draws

Wednesday, October 5: 9:00 a.m. Opening of BGM Introduction of Candidates for Provincial Executive 2016-2018 First Business Session12:00 p.m. Lunch (provided)1:30 p.m Retired Teachers’ Foundation AGM

and Election of Board of Directors4:00 p.m. Service of Thanksgiving7:00 p.m. Banquet and Dance

Thursday, October 6: 9:00-10:30 a.m. Completion of Unfinished Business

Please DETACH and return with registration feeName of retired teacher:

(include maiden name if applicable)

Division:

Full name of guest (if applicable):

Mailing Address:

Place(s) taught:

Amount enclosed: $

Please check: (80 plus) GuestPlease remit fee by cheque payable to RTANL to

3 Kenmount Rd, St. John’s, NL A1B 1W1

Please indicate below or on back if you have any FOOD ALLERGIES or other dietary concerns.

If undeliverable, please return to:Retired Teachers’ Association of NL3 Kenmount RoadSt. John’s, NL A1B 1W1

7279738

THE RTANL IS GOING GREEN

If you would prefer to receive future copies of the RTANL Newsletter in electronic format, please send an email to [email protected].

Be sure to type RTANL Newsletter in the subject line and include your name, mailing address and email address in your message.

(You will receive a confirmation email.)

SAVE A STAMP !

MerryChristmas

Documents

Retired Teachers’ Association Vol 27 No 1 • December 2015 ...files.nlta.nl.ca/wp-content/uploads/public/... · 52 Hollyberry Drive, Paradise A1L 0C1 Tel: 782-8914 [email protected]